Works | Marius Ritiu

01

Stairway to Heaven II

2026 / Hand hammered copper, patina, microcrystalline wax, / 300 x 190 x 330 cm

Details

Stairway to Heaven II

2026 / Hand hammered copper, patina, microcrystalline wax, / 300 x 190 x 330 cm

In My boat is bent, this stairway leads to heaven and I swing on meteoric dreams, Marius Ritiu constructs a speculative environment where gravity seems negotiable and matter remembers having been something else in a previous galaxy. At the center of the space stand three monumental sculptures in hand-hammered copper. They do not illustrate a story. They appear as if they have landed mid sentence. "Stariway to Heaven II" rises vertically, invoking the promise of ascension. A stairway, perhaps, though not one that obeys architectural logic. It climbs without asking permission from the floor, suggesting that heaven might simply be a change of frequency. The steps seem to dissolve as they rise, turning structure into vibration. In this universe, transcendence is engineered by hand. Photos by: Tijs Vervecken

Open work page

02

Highway to the Moon (Sisyphus part III)

2019 / Hand-hammered copper / 450 x 270 x 360 cm

Details

Highway to the Moon (Sisyphus part III)

2019 / Hand-hammered copper / 450 x 270 x 360 cm

Marius Ritiu, Sisyphus Gallery, Moonstreet Projects, Simon Delobel, Moonstreet, Highway to the Moon, Sisyphus part III, greek mythology, contemporary, sculpture, contemporary sculpture, copper, public monument, outdoor sculpture, art, artist, contemporary art, contemporary artist, figurative art, abstract art, figurative, abstract, Sisyphus, meteorite, rock, boulder, repousse, copper sheet, art collector, universe, Hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy, Douglas Adams, do not panic, meteor, asteroid, space, universe

Open work page

03

Rock'n Roll (Sisyphus - part II)

2019 / Hand-hammered copper / 800 x 200 x 170 cm

Details

Rock'n Roll (Sisyphus - part II)

2019 / Hand-hammered copper / 800 x 200 x 170 cm

Rock'n Roll (Sisyphus Part II) was created during Marius Ritiu's fellowship at Socrates Sculpture Park in New York, where the artist continued his exploration of endurance, material transformation and humanity's relationship with the cosmos, with the fleeting passage of ʻOumuamua, the first observed interstellar object passing through our solar system, quietly echoing as an inspiration for thinking about wandering matter and deep-time journeys beyond planetary boundaries. Monumental in scale and hand-hammered from copper, the sculpture rises from the landscape like a solitary monolith or an upright meteorite, appearing as though it has emerged from deep geological time or fallen from distant space. Its rough, faceted surface preserves the visible evidence of thousands of hammer strikes, recording an extended process of labour that echoes the myth of Sisyphus, in which meaning is forged through persistence rather than arrival. Standing in dialogue with the skyline of Manhattan, Rock'n Roll (Sisyphus Part II) creates a compelling encounter between the primordial and the contemporary, contrasting the slow rhythms of material transformation with the rapid pace of the modern city. The title introduces a subtle playfulness, suggesting both physical movement and an irrepressible life force, while also alluding to the perpetual cycles of rolling, carrying and beginning again that define the Sisyphus series. Through its commanding presence and meticulously worked surface, the sculpture invites viewers to reflect on the shared forces that shape rocks, planets, cities and ourselves, proposing that the same energies of pressure, time and transformation resonate from the scale of the human hand to the vastness of the universe.

Open work page

04

I Am a Glitch in the System (Sisyphus V)

2021 / Hand-hammered copper / 450 x 360 x 360 cm

Details

I Am a Glitch in the System (Sisyphus V)

2021 / Hand-hammered copper / 450 x 360 x 360 cm

I Am a Glitch in the System is part of the Sisyphus series by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu, a body of contemporary sculptures that explores endurance, repetition and the quiet resilience embedded in human effort. Hand-hammered from copper, the work transforms an ancient material into a form that evokes both celestial matter and geological time, grounding cosmic references in physical weight, texture and process. The title introduces the notion of disruption, suggesting a moment of resistance within systems that appear immutable, where persistence itself becomes a subtle act of defiance. Drawing on the myth of Sisyphus, the sculpture reconsiders endless labour not as punishment alone but as a condition of existence, where each repeated gesture carries the potential for renewal and change. Every hammer mark remains visible, preserving the physical record of the artist's actions and emphasizing the dialogue between disciplined craftsmanship and the unpredictable behaviour of the material. Suspended between monument and artifact, the work invites viewers to reflect on the fragile balance between order and entropy, determination and uncertainty, proposing that even the smallest interruption can alter the course of a seemingly endless cycle.

Open work page

I Am a Glitch in the System (Sisyphus V)

05

Somewhere Under the Sky

2023 / Hand-hammered copper

Details

Somewhere Under the Sky

2023 / Hand-hammered copper

Somewhere Under the Sky (Sisyphus Part VIII) is part of the Sisyphus series by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu, a body of contemporary sculptures that examines endurance, repetition and the search for meaning through material form. Hand-hammered in copper, the work bears the physical memory of its making, each mark recording a sustained dialogue between the artist and the material. Its title evokes both a specific place and an infinite horizon, suggesting that even within cycles of perpetual effort there exists a space for contemplation and wonder. The sculpture recalls a fragment of celestial matter, as though shaped by the immense pressures of geological and cosmic time, collapsing the distance between the earthly and the astronomical. Drawing on the myth of Sisyphus, the work shifts the narrative from futility towards perseverance, proposing that the act of carrying, building and beginning again is fundamental to the human condition. Somewhere Under the Sky was presented as part of the Finis Terrae exhibition, where it was installed in the garden of the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp. Situated beneath the open sky and within the historic surroundings of the cathedral, the work established a dialogue between the sacred, the terrestrial and the cosmic, inviting viewers to reflect on humanity's enduring place within an ever-expanding universe. Through the union of meticulous craftsmanship and cosmological imagination, the sculpture becomes both a monument to persistence and a quiet meditation on our shared existence beneath the same sky.

Open work page

06

Rockabye

Copper / 324 x 90 x 90 cm

Details

Rockabye

Copper / 324 x 90 x 90 cm

Rockabye is a contemporary functional sculpture by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu that explores material transformation, cosmic imagery and sculptural narrative through meticulous hand-crafted processes. Hand-hammered from copper, the work exists simultaneously as a sculpture and a fully functional swing, inviting viewers to engage with it not only through observation but through movement and experience. The gentle arc of swinging becomes a poetic gesture, echoing the cyclical rhythms of planetary orbits, tides and the perpetual motion that governs both human life and the cosmos. Its luminous copper surface, marked by countless hammer blows, preserves the memory of its making while reflecting light in ways that continually transform its appearance. Balancing utility with artistic expression, Rockabye dissolves the traditional boundaries between design and sculpture, proposing that functional objects can also be vessels for contemplation. The work evokes childhood, play and moments of quiet suspension, while its celestial references expand these intimate experiences into reflections on gravity, time and our place within the universe. Through the union of craftsmanship, material and movement, Rockabye becomes both an object to inhabit and a sculptural meditation on balance, transformation and the enduring human desire to find harmony between the earthly and the cosmic. Photos by: Tijs Vervecken

Open work page

07

Meteoric Afterlife

2026 / Hand hammered copper, patina, microcrystalline wax / 300 x 150 x 120 cm

Details

Meteoric Afterlife

2026 / Hand hammered copper, patina, microcrystalline wax / 300 x 150 x 120 cm

Meteoric Afterlife is a monumental contemporary sculpture by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu, exploring material transformation, cosmic imagery, and sculptural narrative through meticulously hand-crafted processes. Forged in hand hammered copper, the work investigates the dynamic relationship between material resistance, form, and sculptural presence, allowing the physical properties of the metal to shape both its structure and expressive character. Its expansive surface is animated by layers of hammered texture, deep patination, and exposed metallic highlights that evoke the weathered crust of a meteorite or the ancient skin of the earth itself. The title suggests a state of perpetual transformation, where celestial matter has survived impact and entered a new existence, inviting reflections on cycles of destruction, renewal, and permanence. As light moves across its richly worked surface, the sculpture reveals shifting tonalities and intricate details, emphasizing the dialogue between the artist's hand and the resilience of the material. Blurring the boundaries between abstraction and landscape, Meteoric Afterlife possesses a commanding architectural presence, drawing viewers into a contemplative encounter with deep time, the origins of matter, and the enduring power of craftsmanship. Through this monumental work, Ritiu transforms copper into a poetic monument that speaks equally of the cosmos and the earth, celebrating the expressive potential of forged metal as both material and metaphor.

Open work page

08

Event Horizon

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 222 x 30 x 20 cm

Details

Event Horizon

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 222 x 30 x 20 cm

Event Horizon (2026) is a functional contemporary light sculpture by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu that explores the boundary between material presence and immaterial phenomena. Crafted in hand-hammered copper, the sculpture combines the warmth and permanence of metal with the ephemeral qualities of light, creating a dialogue between the tangible and the unseen. Borrowing its title from the astrophysical threshold surrounding a black hole, Event Horizon reflects on moments of transition, where matter, energy and perception converge at the limits of human understanding. The hammered copper surface records the physical gestures of its making, while the emitted light dissolves the object's solidity, suggesting a constant oscillation between emergence and disappearance. Rooted in both craftsmanship and cosmological inquiry, the work invites viewers to contemplate the vast scales of the universe through the intimacy of material, transforming light into a medium for reflection on time, gravity and our place within the cosmos.

Open work page

09

The Celestial Seat

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 90 x 180 x 45 cm

Details

The Celestial Seat

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 90 x 180 x 45 cm

The Celestial Seat is a functional contemporary sculpture by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu, crafted in wood and hand-hammered copper and conceived as collectible functional art that seamlessly merges design with sculptural presence. Balancing utility and artistic expression, the work invites use while maintaining the contemplative qualities of a sculptural object. Its form draws inspiration from celestial geometries and the silent architecture of the cosmos, transforming the simple act of sitting into a moment of reflection and stillness. The warm copper surfaces, meticulously shaped by hand, carry the visible marks of their making, allowing process, labour and time to remain embedded within the material. These rhythmic hammer marks create a subtle topography that catches and reflects light, giving the sculpture a sense of constant transformation. The dialogue between the organic warmth of wood and the luminous permanence of copper reinforces the work's exploration of the relationship between nature, craftsmanship and the universe. By dissolving the traditional boundaries between furniture and sculpture, The Celestial Seat proposes that functional objects can also serve as poetic companions, inviting contemplation of our place within the larger cosmic landscape while remaining rooted in the intimacy of everyday life.

Open work page

10

Meteor Relic

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 160 x 145 x 50 cm

Details

Meteor Relic

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 160 x 145 x 50 cm

Meteor Relic is a contemporary sculpture by Brussels-based artist Marius Ritiu, inspired by cosmic debris and material transformation through hand-crafted copper.

Open work page

11

Milky Way (Sisyphus Part I)

2019 / Hand-hammered copper / 440 x 410 x 360 cm

Details

Milky Way (Sisyphus Part I)

2019 / Hand-hammered copper / 440 x 410 x 360 cm

Milky Way (Sisyphus Part I) is the inaugural work in Marius Ritiu's Sisyphus series, a body of sculptures that explores endurance, transformation and the relationship between human labour and the immensity of the cosmos. Monumental in scale and hand-hammered from copper, the sculpture evokes a colossal meteorite or celestial fragment that appears to have descended into the gallery space, collapsing the distance between geological time and cosmic space. Despite its immense presence, the work retains the intimate evidence of its making, with every hammer mark preserved across its surface as a record of countless repetitive gestures. These traces of labour echo the myth of Sisyphus, where persistence becomes not merely an act of repetition but a means of shaping meaning through continuous effort. The title, Milky Way, expands this narrative beyond the earthly, inviting viewers to consider the sculpture as both a physical mass and a fragment of the universe itself, suspended between the familiar and the unknowable. Its shimmering copper surface captures and transforms light, shifting with the viewer's movement and suggesting a landscape in constant evolution. Through the fusion of meticulous craftsmanship, monumental form and cosmological imagination, Milky Way (Sisyphus Part I) becomes a meditation on humanity's desire to comprehend the infinite, revealing that the smallest repeated gesture can resonate on the scale of galaxies.

Open work page

12

Arachne

Copper

Details

Arachne

Copper

Arachne imagines an organism that seems to have drifted into our world from deep space, suspended between the familiar and the unknowable. Crafted in hand-hammered copper, the sculpture evokes an enigmatic life form whose branching structure recalls a web, a root system, a nervous network and a constellation simultaneously. Drawing on the myth of Arachne, the work expands the act of weaving beyond human craft into a cosmic process, where matter, energy and time are continuously spun into new configurations. The hammered surface preserves the physical memory of its making, each mark suggesting growth rather than manufacture, as though the sculpture has evolved instead of being built. Hovering between biology and astronomy, Arachne blurs distinctions between organism and artifact, proposing a speculative encounter with an intelligence shaped by the vastness of the cosmos. It invites viewers to consider the possibility that life, connection and creativity extend far beyond terrestrial experience, weaving invisible threads between ourselves and the universe. Photos by: Tijs Vervecken

Open work page

13

My Boat is Bent

2026 / Hand hammered copper, patina, microcrystalline wax, / 297 x 60 x 84 cm

Details

My Boat is Bent

2026 / Hand hammered copper, patina, microcrystalline wax, / 297 x 60 x 84 cm

My Boat is Bent is a suspended sculptural vessel that inhabits the space between shelter and ruin, resilience and transformation. Hand hammered from copper, its surface bears the accumulated traces of labour, impact and time, allowing the material to retain the memory of every strike. The distorted hull suggests a form shaped as much by cosmic forces as by human hands, evoking celestial bodies, meteorites and landscapes formed under immense pressure. Neither functional nor entirely symbolic, the work draws on the boat as an enduring archetype of passage, migration and survival, while expanding its meaning into a broader reflection on humanity's place within the cosmos. Its hollow interior becomes a vessel for absence, memory and possibility, inviting viewers to project their own journeys into its quiet expanse. Shown at Felix Pakhuis in Antwerp during the solo exhibition entitled "My Boat is Bent, This Stairway Leads to Heaven and I Swing on Meteoric Dreams" organised by Object With Narratives Gallery in collaboration with Wolf Food Market, this sculpture transforms a familiar object into a contemplative monument to vulnerability, endurance and our perpetual navigation through worlds both earthly and celestial. Photos by: Tijs Vervecken

Open work page

14

Meteor Seat II

Hand-hammered copper

Details

Meteor Seat II

Hand-hammered copper

Meteor Seat is a functional contemporary sculpture by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu, crafted in hand-hammered copper and conceived as collectible functional art that dissolves the boundary between sculpture and design. Simultaneously a usable seat and a contemplative object, the work evokes the appearance of a meteorite that has travelled across the vastness of space before coming to rest within the intimacy of a domestic or architectural setting. Its rugged, faceted form recalls celestial fragments shaped by unimaginable pressures, while the warm luminosity of copper grounds these cosmic associations in the physical reality of the material. Every hammer mark remains visible across the surface, preserving the memory of the artist's gestures and allowing time, labour and process to become intrinsic elements of the work itself. As the copper gradually develops a natural patina, the sculpture continues to evolve, recording its own passage through time much like a meteor bears the traces of its journey through the atmosphere. By inviting viewers to sit upon what appears to be a fragment of the cosmos, Meteor Seat transforms an everyday act into an encounter with geological and astronomical time, proposing that functional objects can also become sites of reflection on humanity's place within an ever-expanding universe.

Open work page

15

Hot Seat From Space

Hand-hammered copper / 69 x 98 x 72 cm

Details

Hot Seat From Space

Hand-hammered copper / 69 x 98 x 72 cm

Hot Seat From Space is a functional contemporary sculpture by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu, crafted in copper and designed as collectible functional art, merging design and sculptural presence. Made in hand-hammered copper, it emphasizes craftsmanship, material integrity and contemporary sculptural form, while evoking the appearance of an object that has travelled through the cosmos before finding its place within the domestic environment. Its irregular, meteor-like surface bears the visible traces of thousands of hammer strikes, preserving the physical memory of its making and allowing process, labour and time to remain embedded within the work. Balancing utility with poetic speculation, Hot Seat From Space invites viewers to engage with it both physically and imaginatively, transforming the simple act of sitting into an encounter with an object that seems suspended between the terrestrial and the extraterrestrial. The sculpture was presented as part of Dernier Cri Gallery's inaugural exhibition in New York City, where it embodied Ritiu's ongoing investigation into the intersection of craftsmanship, cosmology and functional sculpture. By dissolving the boundaries between furniture, sculpture and imagined artifact, Hot Seat From Space proposes that everyday objects can become portals to contemplation, connecting the intimacy of human experience with the immeasurable scale of the universe.

Open work page

16

Oumouamuanesque

Hand-hammered copper

Details

Oumouamuanesque

Hand-hammered copper

Oumuamuanesque is a functional contemporary sculpture by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu, crafted in copper and conceived as collectible functional art that merges design with sculptural presence. Inspired by ʻOumuamua, the first known interstellar object observed passing through our Solar System, the work imagines a fragment from deep space transformed into an object of everyday use. Hand-hammered from copper, its elongated, faceted form recalls both the enigmatic silhouette of the celestial visitor and the weathered surface of a meteorite, while retaining the warmth and tactility of a meticulously crafted object. Every hammer mark remains visible, preserving the physical memory of its making and allowing labour, process and time to become integral elements of the sculpture. As a functional work, Oumuamuanesque invites physical engagement, collapsing the immense distances of the cosmos into the intimacy of human experience. The piece reflects on the extraordinary journey of an object that travelled for millions of years between the stars before briefly crossing our cosmic neighbourhood, transforming this astronomical event into a meditation on travel, encounter and the unknown. By dissolving the boundaries between furniture, sculpture and imagined extraterrestrial artifact, Oumuamuanesque embodies Ritiu's ongoing exploration of craftsmanship, cosmology and material transformation, suggesting that even the most familiar objects can carry echoes of the infinite universe beyond our own.

Open work page

17

At The Mercy Of Nature (Sisyphus Part X)

2024 / Hand-hammered copper

Details

At The Mercy Of Nature (Sisyphus Part X)

2024 / Hand-hammered copper

At the Mercy of Nature (Sisyphus Part X) is a contemporary sculptural work by Marius Ritiu, part of the Sisyphus series, engaging themes of scale, mythology, and collective experience through material-driven public art. It has been shown at the Beaufort Triennial in Oostende, Belgium in 2024, where it entered into dialogue with the coastal landscape and the elemental forces that continuously sculpt it—wind, salt, erosion, and time—framing the work less as a fixed object than as a participant in ongoing geological theatre. In this context, the sculpture extends the Sisyphean narrative of persistence and return, positioning human effort within larger cycles of environmental pressure and transformation, where meaning is not stabilized but repeatedly negotiated, like a shoreline redrawn with each tide.

Open work page

18

Constellation

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 190 x 50 x 90 cm

Details

Constellation

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 190 x 50 x 90 cm

Constellation is a functional contemporary sculpture by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu, crafted in hand-hammered copper and conceived as collectible functional art that dissolves the boundary between sculpture and design. Drawing inspiration from the celestial patterns that have guided humanity for millennia, the work transforms the language of the night sky into a tactile, domestic presence. Its composition evokes the invisible geometries that connect stars across vast distances, suggesting that even seemingly isolated forms belong to larger systems of order and meaning. Every hammer mark remains visible, preserving the physical dialogue between artist and material, while the copper's luminous surface changes over time, acquiring a patina that records its own passage through time. Rather than treating function as secondary to aesthetics, Constellation proposes that everyday objects can become sites of contemplation, inviting moments of reflection within daily life. The work embodies Ritiu's ongoing exploration of cosmology, material transformation and craftsmanship, creating an object that is at once useful, sculptural and quietly evocative of our enduring relationship with the universe. Photos by: Tijs Vervecken

Open work page

19

Rock'n Row (sisyphus Part VII)

Copper / 360 x 342 x 396 cm

Details

Rock'n Row (sisyphus Part VII)

Copper / 360 x 342 x 396 cm

Rock'n Row is part of the Sisyphus series by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu, a body of contemporary sculptures exploring endurance, repetition, and human effort through material form. Made in hand-hammered copper, it evokes celestial matter and transformation, grounding cosmic references in physical weight and surface, as if an object had condensed out of stellar dust only to be wrestled into human scale through sheer labor. The work was conceived as a site-specific sculpture for the exhibition Making Fun at De Warande in 2022, responding directly to its spatial and curatorial context, and activating the exhibition environment as an extension of its conceptual field. In this setting, Rock'n Row becomes both object and gesture, echoing the Sisyphean cycle of continuous making and remaking, where repetition is not redundancy but a generative rhythm that binds material, body, and time into a shared sculptural pulse.

Open work page

20

Rocking Chair III

Copper / 198 x 106 x 62 cm

Details

Rocking Chair III

Copper / 198 x 106 x 62 cm

Rocking Chair III is a contemporary sculpture by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu that reimagines a familiar domestic object as a vehicle for reflection on time, movement and the cosmos. Handcrafted in hammered copper, the work transforms the archetypal rocking chair into a sculptural form that oscillates between function and fiction, memory and imagination. The rhythmic gesture of rocking becomes a metaphor for celestial cycles, planetary motion and the perpetual balance between stillness and change. Every hammer mark remains visible on the copper surface, preserving the physical history of its making while allowing the material to capture and reflect light with a quiet luminosity. By elevating an everyday object into a contemplative presence, Rocking Chair III blurs the boundaries between design, sculpture and narrative. The work invites viewers to consider the chair not simply as a place of rest, but as a vessel for thought, where personal histories intersect with larger questions of existence, transformation and humanity's enduring relationship with the universe.

Open work page

21

Sky Relic

2024 / Hand-hammered copper / 180 x 110 x 100 cm

Details

Sky Relic

2024 / Hand-hammered copper / 180 x 110 x 100 cm

Sky Relic is a functional contemporary sculpture by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu, crafted in copper and conceived as collectible functional art that dissolves the conventional boundaries between sculpture, design, and everyday use. Made in hand-hammered copper, it evokes celestial matter and transformation, grounding cosmic references in physical weight and surface. Its richly textured skin bears the visible traces of thousands of hammer strikes, transforming the metal into a tactile record of time, labour, and accumulated gesture. The title suggests an object that has survived an immeasurable journey, as though recovered from the sky or preserved from a distant epoch, inviting associations with meteorites, archaeological fragments, and cosmic debris. While fully functional, Sky Relic retains the contemplative presence of an autonomous sculpture, encouraging an intimate encounter in which utility and symbolism coexist. Through the interplay of craftsmanship, material memory, and cosmic imagination, the work proposes that even the most familiar domestic object can become a vessel for reflecting on humanity's enduring fascination with the universe and our desire to give tangible form to the infinite.

Open work page

22

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

2024 / Hand-hammered copper, patina, microcrystalline wax / 140 x 27 x 100 cm

Details

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

2024 / Hand-hammered copper, patina, microcrystalline wax / 140 x 27 x 100 cm

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough is part of the Ain’t No Mountain High Enough series by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu, a body of contemporary sculptures exploring endurance, repetition, and human effort through material form. In this series, the familiar phrase is reimagined less as lyric and more as sculptural proposition, testing how ambition, resistance, and persistence can be translated into physical presence. Through weighty materials and labor-intensive processes, the works suggest landscapes that are not simply depicted but arduously built, where “mountain” becomes both metaphor and material challenge. The series continues Ritiu’s broader interest in Sisyphean logic, in which effort is cyclic rather than linear, and meaning emerges through sustained making rather than arrival at resolution. In this sense, each sculpture operates like a condensed terrain of struggle and ascent, inviting viewers to consider not only the scale of what is built, but also the invisible accumulation of force, time, and human insistence embedded within it.

Open work page

23

Go With The Flood

2024 / Hand-hammered copper / 270 x 63 x 54 cm

Details

Go With The Flood

2024 / Hand-hammered copper / 270 x 63 x 54 cm

Go With the Flood is a contemporary sculpture by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu that explores material transformation, cosmic imagery and sculptural narrative through hand-crafted processes. Shaped from hand-hammered copper, the work resembles a surfboard that appears to have travelled across interstellar space, carrying the scarred surface and enigmatic presence of a meteorite. Hovering between sporting equipment and celestial fragment, the sculpture blurs the distinction between the manufactured and the primordial, suggesting an object that has been forged as much by cosmic forces as by human hands. Its hammered copper skin captures light like a weathered asteroid while preserving the physical memory of every strike, embedding the gestures of making within its surface. The title, Go With the Flood, evokes currents that extend beyond oceans into the vast flows of space, time and gravity, inviting reflection on movement as a universal condition. Neither entirely terrestrial nor fully extraterrestrial, the sculpture proposes a poetic journey where surfing becomes a metaphor for navigating the unknown, riding invisible waves that connect the Earth to the wider cosmos. It is both an object of adventure and contemplation, encouraging viewers to imagine travel not only across water, but through the immeasurable expanse of the universe.

Open work page

24

Cosmic Blue II

Hand hammered copper, massive wood, patina, microcrystalline wax, / 69 x 75 x 90 cm

Details

Cosmic Blue II

Hand hammered copper, massive wood, patina, microcrystalline wax, / 69 x 75 x 90 cm

This sculptural chair by Marius Ritiu transforms the familiar language of furniture into a tactile work of art. Hand hammered from copper, its organic form appears to have been shaped by elemental forces rather than strict geometry, with fluid curves, thickened limbs, and a richly textured surface that celebrates the artist's craftsmanship. The expressive hammer marks catch the light across the chair's blue patinated finish, revealing subtle variations of turquoise, bronze, and deep metallic tones that evolve with every viewing angle. Balancing functionality with sculpture, the piece invites both contemplation and interaction, blurring the boundary between object and artwork. Its primitive yet contemporary presence evokes a sense of permanence, as though it has emerged from the earth itself, embodying the enduring beauty of hand-forged metal and the quiet poetry of imperfection.

Open work page

25

Ain't No Mountain High Enough IV

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 142 x 65 x 29 cm

Details

Ain't No Mountain High Enough IV

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 142 x 65 x 29 cm

Ain't No Mountain High Enough IV by Marius Ritiu is a commanding wall sculpture that explores the intersection of landscape, material, and memory through the expressive language of hand-forged copper. Its richly modelled surface evokes the monumental character of weathered rock faces, where dramatic ridges, deep crevices, and tactile textures suggest the relentless forces of erosion, uplift, and geological time. Layers of dark patination are punctuated by luminous flashes of exposed copper, creating a dynamic interplay of shadow and light that shifts with the viewer's perspective. At once imposing and contemplative, the work transcends literal representation, inviting reflection on the enduring resilience of the natural world and humanity's profound connection to it. Through his masterful manipulation of metal, Ritiu transforms copper into a landscape of remarkable depth and emotion, where every hammered mark bears witness to the artist's hand and to the timeless rhythms of nature.

Open work page

26

Cosmic Gloss

Hand-hammered copper, patina, microcrystalline wax / 49 x 45 x 90 cm

Details

Cosmic Gloss

Hand-hammered copper, patina, microcrystalline wax / 49 x 45 x 90 cm

Cosmic Gloss is a functional contemporary sculpture by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu, crafted in copper and designed as collectible functional art, merging design and sculptural presence. Made in wood and hand hammered copper.

Open work page

27

Ain't No Mountain High Enough II

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 142 x 65 x 29 cm

Details

Ain't No Mountain High Enough II

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 142 x 65 x 29 cm

Ain't No Mountain High Enough II by Marius Ritiu.

Open work page

28

Meteor at Rest

2025 / Hand-hammered copper

Details

Meteor at Rest

2025 / Hand-hammered copper

Marius Ritiu is an Antwerp-based contemporary sculptor working primarily with hand-hammered copper. His practice spans autonomous sculpture, functional art, and public works, exploring material resistance, human effort, and cosmic narratives through a rigorous, hands-on process.

Open work page

29

Meteoritiu (Sisyphus Part IX)

2024 / Copper

Details

Meteoritiu (Sisyphus Part IX)

2024 / Copper

Meteoritiu is part of the Sisyphus series by Brussels-based artist Marius Ritiu, a body of contemporary sculptures exploring endurance, repetition, and human effort through material form. Made in hand hammered copper it carries the marks of its making, allowing process and time to remain visible within the form.

Open work page

30

Bed Time Stories

Copper

Details

Bed Time Stories

Copper

Odysseus Before entering the Hoia Baciu forest, Odysseus encountered a man selling rings on the side of the road. His name was Johnny and he presented himself as the best jewelry maker from the area, saying he was the most talented amongst the Roma’s. He offered Odysseus a copper ring that would protect him from the evil spirits of the forest, in exchange of the leather suitcase he was carrying, but the Greek declined, confessing that it was a present from his wife back in Ithaca. Johnny warned him that, in the forest he was about to enter, he would need the ring much more than that suitcase, which would only slow him down anyway. Odysseus refused the jeweler’s proposal and he walked into the forest. After a few steps, he turned back to ask Johnny if he knew what the time was, but he was no longer there. Odysseus didn’t know what to make of it, the man seemed to have vanished. The deeper he walked into the forest, the darker it became. The sounds he was hearing were otherworldly. The trees that he came across were very different in size and shape from any other that he had ever seen before. Some were growing in spirals and it felt like he was surrounded by giant snakes bursting out of the ground. Others seemed to have women’s silhouettes, while other ones looked like stacked bricks. It was a strange looking forest, or at least that’s what he was thinking at the time. The thought of the evil spirits that Johnny mentioned began to grow roots in the back of his mind and while he was getting closer to the heart of the forest, he started seeing faces behind the strangely shaped trees. They were floating in the air without being attached to a body, appearing and disappearing in the blink of an eye. Now he knew that he should have listened to Johnny and taken that ring. But it was too late. One of the faces evaporated into thin air, leaving behind a cloud of mist. Then suddenly, it took shape again and demanded the copper ring. “I don’t have it...”, said Odysseus. At that point, the strange entity transformed into a rock in a rocking-chair and started swinging back and forth 9 times. Odysseus disappeared inside of his leather luggage and only his feet were sticking out. It took him ten years to get out of the haunted forest and only when he reached the edge of the forest, his body was released from the leather suitcase. Here, he met Johnny again, who was still selling copper rings, in the same place where they met. Odysseus asked him if he would like to trade a copper ring for his leather suitcase and Johnny agreed. “I will take the ring back to Ithaca and give it to my wife”, Odysseus concluded. Marius Ritiu

Open work page

31

Ain't no Mountain High Enough III

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 70 x 30 x 98 cm

Details

Ain't no Mountain High Enough III

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 70 x 30 x 98 cm

Ain't no Mountain High Enough III by Marius Ritiu.

Open work page

32

Ain't No Mountain High Enough V

2025 / Hand-hammered copper

Details

Ain't No Mountain High Enough V

2025 / Hand-hammered copper

Ain't No Mountain High Enough V by Marius Ritiu is a monumental wall sculpture that captures the raw energy and enduring presence of the natural world through the transformative power of metal. Hand forged and richly textured, the work evokes the weathered face of a mountain, its dramatic surface shaped by deep fissures, rugged contours, and organic formations that suggest geological processes unfolding over millennia. Subtle glimmers of warm copper emerge from beneath the darkened patina, creating moments of illumination that recall veins of ore revealed within ancient rock or the fleeting glow of sunlight breaking across a cliff face. Balancing weight with movement, permanence with transformation, the sculpture invites viewers into a contemplative encounter with landscape, memory, and time. Ritiu's mastery of hammered metal allows the work to transcend representation, becoming both an abstract meditation on nature's sublime forces and a testament to the expressive possibilities of hand-forged copper.

Open work page

33

Meteor Delta

2025 / Hand-hammered copper

Details

Meteor Delta

2025 / Hand-hammered copper

Meteor Delta is a contemporary sculpture by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu, exploring material transformation, cosmic imagery, and sculptural narrative through hand-crafted processes.

Open work page

34

Hoia Baciu

2021 / Copper / 207 x 45 x 36 cm

Details

Hoia Baciu

2021 / Copper / 207 x 45 x 36 cm

Hoia Baciu is a contemporary sculpture by Belgium-based artist Marius Ritiu, exploring material transformation, cosmic imagery, and sculptural narrative through hand-crafted processes.

Open work page

35

Meteor Table

Hand-hammered copper

Details

Meteor Table

Hand-hammered copper

Meteor table is a functional contemporary sculpture by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu, crafted in copper and designed as collectible functional art, merging design and sculptural presence. Hand hammered in copper, it functions as both a usable object and a sculptural statement, balancing utility and material expression.

Open work page

36

Meteor Gamma

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 95 x 85 x 30 cm

Details

Meteor Gamma

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 95 x 85 x 30 cm

Meteor Gamma by Marius Ritiu is a striking wall sculpture that evokes the elemental drama of a celestial body suspended between cosmic motion and geological permanence. Hand forged from copper, the work presents a richly textured surface that appears both ancient and otherworldly, bearing the expressive marks of the artist's hammer alongside layers of dark patina and luminous metallic highlights. Its cratered and fractured topography recalls the scarred surface of a meteorite, suggesting immense forces of impact, transformation, and the passage of deep time. As light moves across the sculpture, subtle variations in texture and colour animate its surface, revealing flashes of warm copper beneath darker oxidised tones. Balancing abstraction with references to the natural and astronomical worlds, Meteor Gamma invites contemplation of the vast scales of time and space while celebrating the physicality of hand-forged metal. Through this work, Ritiu transforms copper into a powerful sculptural landscape that bridges the terrestrial and the cosmic, embodying both the enduring resilience of the material and the artist's deeply intuitive approach to form.

Open work page

37

Meteor Throne II

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 130 x 170 x 120 cm

Details

Meteor Throne II

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 130 x 170 x 120 cm

Meteor Throne II is a functional contemporary sculpture by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu, crafted in copper and designed as collectible functional art, merging design and sculptural presence.

Open work page

38

Meteor Throne

2021 / Hand-hammered copper

Details

Meteor Throne

2021 / Hand-hammered copper

Meteor Throne is s a functional contemporary sculpture by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu, crafted in copper and designed as collectible functional art, merging design and sculptural presence. Made in hand hammered copper, it carries the marks of its making.

Open work page

39

Meteor Vampire

Hand-hammered copper

Details

Meteor Vampire

Hand-hammered copper

Meteor Vampire is a functional contemporary sculpture by Brussels-based artist Marius Ritiu, crafted in copper and designed as collectible functional art, merging design and sculptural presence. Made in hand hammered copper it carries the marks of its making, allowing process and time to remain visible within the form.

Open work page

40

Meteoresque

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 73 x 62 x 24 cm

Details

Meteoresque

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 73 x 62 x 24 cm

Meteoresque is a contemporary sculpture by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu, exploring material transformation, cosmic imagery, and sculptural narrative through meticulously hand-crafted processes. Created in hand hammered copper, the work reflects Ritiu's fascination with the elemental forces that shape both the natural world and the cosmos, transforming a traditional material into a form that feels simultaneously ancient and otherworldly. Its richly textured surface, alive with the marks of forging, recalls the fractured crust of a meteorite, weathered rock formations, or the scarred remains of celestial bodies that have travelled through space over immeasurable spans of time. Layers of patina and exposed copper catch the light in subtle, ever-changing ways, revealing a dynamic interplay between shadow, texture, and luminosity. Rather than depicting a specific object, Meteoresque evokes the sensation of encountering a fragment of the universe, inviting viewers to contemplate themes of origin, transformation, and endurance. The sculpture balances a commanding physical presence with a profound sense of mystery, encouraging close observation of its intricate surface and the evidence of the artist's hand within every hammered contour. Through this compelling work, Ritiu elevates copper beyond its material identity, creating a poetic meditation on the relationship between earth and cosmos, permanence and change, craftsmanship and imagination.

Open work page

41

Meteoritiu II

Copper

Details

Meteoritiu II

Copper

Meteoritiu II by Marius Ritiu.

Open work page

42

Meteoritus Fantasticus

2025 / Copper / 72 x 36 x 27 cm

Details

Meteoritus Fantasticus

2025 / Copper / 72 x 36 x 27 cm

Meteoritus Fantasticus is a contemporary sculpture by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu, exploring material transformation, cosmic imagery, and sculptural narrative through meticulously hand-crafted processes. Forged from hand hammered copper, the work embodies a powerful dialogue between the raw resilience of metal and the artist's intuitive approach to form, where every hammer mark becomes an enduring record of its creation. Its richly textured surface, animated by layers of patina and subtle metallic highlights, evokes the rugged exterior of a celestial fragment that has journeyed across space before coming to rest on earth. Balancing monumentality with intricate detail, the sculpture appears both ancient and futuristic, suggesting an object that exists beyond conventional notions of time and place. Rather than offering a literal representation of a meteorite, Meteoritus Fantasticus transforms cosmic phenomena into an abstract sculptural language that speaks of impact, evolution, and renewal. As light shifts across its expressive surface, new textures and tonal variations emerge, reinforcing the work's dynamic presence and inviting prolonged contemplation. Through this compelling synthesis of craftsmanship, imagination, and material exploration, Ritiu creates a sculpture that bridges the terrestrial and the celestial, celebrating copper as a living medium capable of conveying both physical permanence and poetic transformation.

Open work page

43

Mini Mountain

2023 / Hand-hammered copper

Details

Mini Mountain

2023 / Hand-hammered copper

Mini Mountain by Marius Ritiu.

Open work page

44

Mountain

2023 / Hand-hammered copper

Details

Mountain

2023 / Hand-hammered copper

Mountain by Marius Ritiu.

Open work page

45

Non-Ferrous Appetite

2020 / Recycled copper / 360 x 44 cm

Details

Non-Ferrous Appetite

2020 / Recycled copper / 360 x 44 cm

Marius Ritiu, Marius, Ritiu, recycled copper, recycled, copper, hand knitted, copper wires, wires, interconnectedness, Non Ferrous Appetite, 2020, art, contemporary art, contemporary artist, artist, New York, Antwerp, sculpture, contemporary sculpture, contemporary, sculpture, Bucharest, SAC, figurative sculpture, abstract sculpture, figurative, abstract, collector, art collector, museum, universe, overview effect, Cluj, copper sheet, repousse

Open work page

46

Odysseus

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 90 x 180 x 45 cm

Details

Odysseus

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 90 x 180 x 45 cm

Odysseus by Marius Ritiu.

Open work page

47

Is There Anybody Out There

Copper

Details

Is There Anybody Out There

Copper

Is There Anybody Out There is an interactive installation made entirely in copper by Antwerp based artist Marius Ritiu.

Open work page

48

Oumuamua

Copper

Details

Oumuamua

Copper

Oumuamua, Marius Ritiu, asteroid, space ship, cosmos, solar system, spaceship, sculpture, copper, hand hammered, meteorite, contemporary art, contemporary sculpture, public art, monumental art, collectible design

Open work page

49

Platypus

Hand-hammered copper / 120 x 150 x 44 cm

Details

Platypus

Hand-hammered copper / 120 x 150 x 44 cm

Platypus is a functional contemporary sculpture by Brussels-based artist Marius Ritiu, crafted in copper and designed as collectible functional art, merging design and sculptural presence. Made in hand hammered copper it eflects a direct engagement with material, where form emerges through repetition, impact, and manual labor.

Open work page

50

Portal

Copper / 300 x 63 x 123 cm

Details

Portal

Copper / 300 x 63 x 123 cm

Marius Ritiu, portal, copper, sculpture, contemporary art, antwerp, monumental sculpture, monumental art, outdoor art,

Open work page

51

Return to Sender (Sisyphus - part VI)

2020 / Copper sheet / 450 x 400 x 450 cm

Details

Return to Sender (Sisyphus - part VI)

2020 / Copper sheet / 450 x 400 x 450 cm

Return to Sender is part of the Sisyphus series by Antwerp-based artist Marius Ritiu, a body of contemporary sculptures exploring endurance, repetition, and human effort through material form.Made in hand hammered copper, this monumental outdoor sculpture evokes celestial matter and transformation, grounding cosmic references in physical weight and surface.

Open work page

52

Ripples of Reality

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 200 x 90 x 10 cm

Details

Ripples of Reality

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 200 x 90 x 10 cm

Ripples of Reality by Marius Ritiu.

Open work page

53

Rocking Chair Alpha

Copper

Details

Rocking Chair Alpha

Copper

Rocking Chair Alpha by Marius Ritiu.

Open work page

54

Rocking Chair II

2024 / Hand-hammered copper / 108 x 72 x 72 cm

Details

Rocking Chair II

2024 / Hand-hammered copper / 108 x 72 x 72 cm

Rocking Chair II s a functional contemporary sculpture by Brussels-based artist Marius Ritiu, crafted in copper and designed as collectible functional art, merging design and sculptural presence. Hand hammered in copper with patina.

Open work page

55

Rocking Chair IV

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 72 x 153 x 54 cm

Details

Rocking Chair IV

2025 / Hand-hammered copper / 72 x 153 x 54 cm

Rocking Chair IV by Marius Ritiu.

Open work page

56

Rocking Chair

Copper / 126 x 63 x 63 cm

Details

Rocking Chair

Copper / 126 x 63 x 63 cm

Rocking Chair, Marius Ritiu, chair, functional art, collectible design, otherwordly, copper, hand hammered, contemporary art, contemporary sculpture, story telling, transylvania

Open work page

57

Anonymus

Copper / 90 x 180 x 45 cm

Details

Anonymus

Copper / 90 x 180 x 45 cm

Anonymus by Marius Ritiu.

Open work page

58

Rocky Bastard

Copper / 75 x 54 x 33 cm

Details

Rocky Bastard

Copper / 75 x 54 x 33 cm

Rocky Bastard, Marius Ritiu, alien, rock, mask, immigrant from space, otherwordly, stellar, copper, meteorite, cosmic, contemporary art, contemporary sculpture, collectible design, functional sculpture.

Open work page

59

Sisyphus Throne II

2020 / Copper sheet / 250 x 124 x 81 cm

Details

Sisyphus Throne II

2020 / Copper sheet / 250 x 124 x 81 cm

Sisyphus Throne II by Marius Ritiu.

Open work page

60

Sisyphus Throne

2024 / Hand-hammered copper / 250 x 124 x 81 cm

Details

Sisyphus Throne

2024 / Hand-hammered copper / 250 x 124 x 81 cm

Sisyphus Throne is is a functional contemporary sculpture by Brussels-based artist Marius Ritiu, crafted in copper and designed as collectible functional art, merging design and sculptural presence. Made in hand hammered copper, it functions as both a usable object and a sculptural statement, balancing utility and material expression.

Open work page

61

The Apocalypse (Sisyphus Part IV)

2020 / Copper sheet / 333 x 333 x 333 cm

Details

The Apocalypse (Sisyphus Part IV)

2020 / Copper sheet / 333 x 333 x 333 cm

Marius Ritiu, copper, sculpture, contemporary art, new york, antwerp, monumental sculpture, monumental art, outdoor art, hand hammered, public art, hand made, bronze, brass, Slag Gallery

Open work page

62

The Marstial

Copper / 99 x 63 x 54 cm

Details

The Marstial

Copper / 99 x 63 x 54 cm

The Marstial is a functional contemporary sculpture by Brussels-based artist Marius Ritiu, crafted in copper and designed as collectible functional art, merging design and sculptural presence.

Open work page

63

The Alley of the Universe

2018 / Copper / 45 x 25 x 50 cm

Details

The Alley of the Universe

2018 / Copper / 45 x 25 x 50 cm

Marius Ritiu, Marius, Ritiu, The Alley of the Universe, contemporary sculpture, contemporary, sculpture, 2018, copper sculpture, Antwerp, Belgium, art, contemporary artist, contemporary art, copper, public monument, outdoor sculpture, monumental sculpture, abstract sculpture, abstract, figurative sculpture, figurative, art collector, collector, artist, New York, Bucharest, Cluj

Open work page

64

The Global Citizen

Copper / 571 x 365 x 45 cm

Details

The Global Citizen

Copper / 571 x 365 x 45 cm

Marius Ritiu, Marius, Ritiu, The Global Citizen, New York, Antwerp, Cluj, Bucharest, Transylvania, contemporary, sculpture, contemporary sculpture, copper, wood, public monument, public art, public artwork, outdoor sculpture, public sculpture, art, artist, contemporary art, contemporary artist, figurative art, abstract art, figurative, abstract, Sisyphus, meteorite, rock, boulder, repousse, copper sheet, art collector, universe, hammered copper, overview effect, blue marble

Open work page

65

Tower of Babel

2018 / Copper / 90 x 9 cm

Details

Tower of Babel

2018 / Copper / 90 x 9 cm

Marius Ritiu, Marius, Ritiu, Tower of Babel, Antwerp, Belgium, 2018, copper, wood, contemporary sculpture, contemporary, sculpture, copper, public monument, outdoor sculpture, universe, galaxy, repousse, copper sheet, hammered copper, public sculpture, public art, public artwork, sculpture garden, sculpture park, abstract sculpture, abstract, figurative sculpture, figurative, art collector, collector, artist, New York, Bucharest, Cluj, art

Open work page

66

Under Venusian Skies

Copper / 210 x 150 x 3 cm

Details

Under Venusian Skies

Copper / 210 x 150 x 3 cm

Under Venusian Skies by Marius Ritiu.

Open work page

Stairway to Heaven II

Interested in this work?

A bit about you

What should we send you?

Almost there

You're on the list

Spread the word

Highway to the Moon (Sisyphus part III)

Interested in this work?

A bit about you

What should we send you?

Almost there

You're on the list

Spread the word

Rock'n Roll (Sisyphus - part II)

Interested in this work?

A bit about you

What should we send you?

Almost there

You're on the list

Spread the word

I Am a Glitch in the System (Sisyphus V)

Interested in this work?

A bit about you

What should we send you?

Almost there

You're on the list

Spread the word

Somewhere Under the Sky

Interested in this work?

A bit about you

What should we send you?

Almost there

You're on the list

Spread the word

Rockabye

Interested in this work?

A bit about you

What should we send you?

Almost there

You're on the list

Spread the word

Meteoric Afterlife

Interested in this work?

A bit about you

What should we send you?

Almost there

You're on the list

Spread the word

Event Horizon

Interested in this work?

A bit about you

What should we send you?

Almost there

You're on the list

Spread the word

The Celestial Seat

Interested in this work?

A bit about you

What should we send you?

Almost there

You're on the list

Spread the word

Meteor Relic

Interested in this work?

A bit about you

What should we send you?

Almost there

You're on the list

Spread the word

Milky Way (Sisyphus Part I)

Interested in this work?

A bit about you

What should we send you?

Almost there

You're on the list

Spread the word

Arachne

Interested in this work?

A bit about you